With a little help from my Friends

Talk about musical instrument construction, setup and repair.

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Dave White
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With a little help from my Friends

Post by Dave White » Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:22 pm

I posted this some time ago on a guitar players forum but thought it would make a nice Christmas present here.

At the turn of the last century (sounds great doesn't it :D ) I had the great fortune for a number of years to go to an annual weekend guitar workshop that Martin Simpson hosted in Little Grove, Chesham. I learned so much that shapes my playing and arranging now on guitar and it was a real turning point. Amongst other things we got to see the evolution of a lot of the material that became Martin's "The Bramble Briar" CD. At the 2000 workshop Martin played us one of his "works in progress" - his arrangement in DADGAD of "With A Little Help From My Friends" in the Joe Cocker style rather than from Sgt Pepper. This was a fabulous "constant motion" arrangement in Martin's trademark style that haunted me. Martin kindly allowed us to video the Workshops and from these I tabbed and transcribed what he played. Martin's "works in progress" can take years or decades to evolve and I haven't heard him play it in concert or record it. A couple of months ago I found the tab I had written down and became immersed in it and added a few bits of my own (you can easily tell those :oops: ) - this is essentially Martin's composition though. I finally got a version complete enough to record using my (or rather my daughter Suzie's 8) ) Euro spruce/Black Limba 13 frets clear Grand Concert with 24.9" scale length:

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The title seems appropriate for a Forum where friends hang out to talk about instruments they make and play so I thought I'd run it past you all to see what you think:

With A Little Help From My Friends
Dave White
[url=http://www.defaoiteguitars.com]De Faoite Stringed Instruments[/url]

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kiwigeo
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Post by kiwigeo » Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:57 pm

Thats one stylish instrument Dave. I particularly love the headstock and the bridge.

Cheers Martin

Hesh1956
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Post by Hesh1956 » Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:25 am

Dave what a beautiful guitar and the tune is incredible as is the playing. I am listening to is right now and I am very impressed with your playing. I wish that I could play like that.

You are right this is a very haunting sound - a sound that I really like.

Outstanding and thanks my friend for all that you do - very, very well I will add! :cl :cl :cl :cl :cl

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Dave Anderson
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Post by Dave Anderson » Sun Dec 23, 2007 2:22 pm

Oh Yeah! I agree that sounds so good Dave.You are not only
a great guitar builder but you can play!!
Love that arrangement for "Friends"
That must have been wonderful to go to the workshop with Martin Simpson.
Beautiful guitar too! :D
Dave Anderson
Port Richey,Florida

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Bob Connor
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Post by Bob Connor » Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:26 pm

Beautiful arrangement Dave and superbly played.

That guitar sounds pretty damn good too.

Have a great Christmas.

Bob

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Tom Morici
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Post by Tom Morici » Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:12 pm

Dave,
The guitar sounds great! Your playing always sounds good too me.
Thanks for sharing!

Tom

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ozziebluesman
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Post by ozziebluesman » Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:32 pm

Hi there Dave,

Gorgeous sounding guitar. Very haunting tone, beautifully played.

Thanks for sharing

Merry Christmas

Alan

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Ron Wisdom
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Post by Ron Wisdom » Mon Dec 24, 2007 5:20 am

Way to go, Dave! More beautiful work and great sounds. I'm a big fan of both.

Ron

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Serge
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Post by Serge » Mon Dec 24, 2007 7:08 am

Thank you Dave, what wonderful instrument and what a talent you have my man! :cl :cl :cl :cl :cl

Merry Christmas to you and yours! :D

Serge :bear
Jesus, family, friends, guitar and mandolin : D

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